Haunted by opaque window on new PC

mark99k · 10 Sep 2011

Other than Office I've installed next to nothing on this extremely new PC, but at random times ALT+TAB will display one icon more than there are visibly open programs. Further, if I choose that icon from the switcher, a small (maybe 300px) square "window" is activated, but it's completely featureless & opaque. It closes with ALT+F4 like anything else, but that's the only response I can get from it -- right-clicking inside it gives no response. The screenshot attached shows the icon displayed in the task switcher. Can anyone identify it? Virus scan comes up clean.

JaidynM · 10 Sep 2011

Try running an sfc/scannow command in an elevated command prompt and see if it helps.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

mark99k · 10 Sep 2011

Hm, good idea. But it says no integrity violations.

legacy7955 · 10 Sep 2011

@Mark:

Are you certain that this PC is brand new and came out of a factory sealed box? I'd be interested to know if this unit was possibly a return of somekind.

I would call the manufacturer and speak to them about it. Maybe you can return it for a replacement.

JaidynM · 11 Sep 2011

Could you start Windows in Safe Mode and see if the problem persists? A 3rd party app might be interfering with it.
Safe Mode

Could you also run the sfc/scannow command twice more with a restart after each? It might have missed some files the first time round and it doesn't hurt to try it again.

What anti-virus did you run? Could you try running a full system scan with Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download

xxxdannyxxx · 11 Sep 2011

Hello mark99k

Could you please check in msconfig/start-up and see if anything that is starting up with windows has that icon - Startup Programs - Change Do you have a fingerprint scanner as it looks very similar to one I have for that.
Also could you fill out your system specs to help us help you - System Info - See Your System Specs

Danny

mark99k · 03 Oct 2011

UPDATE: It's the Dell Backup and Recovery Manager, according to its [hidden] icon in the System Tray. Why it insists on creating that opaque window or even announce itself in the Task Switcher is still a mystery.

xxxdannyxxx · 04 Oct 2011

mark99k said:

UPDATE: It's the Dell Backup and Recovery Manager, according to its [hidden] icon in the System Tray. Why it insists on creating that opaque window or even announce itself in the Task Switcher is still a mystery.

You could try unchecking that program in msconfig/startup to prevent it starting with windows, see if that helps.

Danny

mark99k · 04 Oct 2011

Oh yes, sorry - forgot to mention, I did exactly that and it's gone.